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The "work-to-rule" arrangement adopted by a union representing University of Maine faculty members has resulted in a complaint filed by the university system. Faculty members, who are seeking a 4.5% cost-of-living pay increase, refrain from taking part in voluntary activities under such an arrangement, but otherwise follow their contract terms, one professor said. "I don't think we have any precedent determining whether the things are or are not mandatory subjects of bargaining, and that will be an issue in this case," said Marc Ayotte, executive director of the Maine Labor Relations Board.

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Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., has stymied the confirmation process for Air Force secretary nominee Deborah Lee James until her questions are answered about the potential elimination of the A-10 Thunderbolt fleet. "Yes, she has placed a hold until she gets answers on the A-10 issue. She views this as a readiness issue. She isn't necessarily saying we must retain the A-10, but wants to ensure there isn't a capability gap that could result in lost American lives," an Ayotte aide said Wednesday.

Political risk has increased for a dozen countries this year, a drop from the 21 that experienced an increase during 2012, according to Aon's most recent Political Risk Map. Risk fell in 13 countries, the map shows. Improvements for some Middle East countries highlight "the importance of strong corporate and financial institutions, which cushion the effects on individual countries," Aon says.

Louisiana officials say that $56 million of the $88 million needed for the next fiscal year's operating budget depends on the settlement of insurance claims. The $56 million, which would come from the state's self-insurance fund, has drawn questions from lawmakers. The Office of Risk Management hasn't said how repairs to state buildings may be affected if the transfer is made, according to Charley Rome, fiscal analyst for the Legislative Fiscal Office.

Most drug testing of students at Linn State Technical College in Missouri will be subject to a preliminary injunction until the case is decided, a federal judge said. The injunction also blocks the reporting of results, although some programs are exempt, according to the attorney for the college. The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri. A hearing is set to take place in July.

Health information exchanges are faced with the challenge of data ownership and patient trust issues, but in the end a clear business case is required for sustainability, industry leaders said at the recent IHT² Health IT Summit. "IT is only an enabler for an outcome. [More important] is your clinical and business use case," said May Terry, GE Healthcare's eHealth solutions architect.